Mediation effect of body mass index on the association between glycated albumin and 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk in Hunan residents of China: a retrospective cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES: Glycated albumin (GA) and body mass index (BMI) are associated with the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). However, the role of BMI in the association between GA and 10-year ASCVD risk is still not fully understood. DESIGN: A retrospective cross-sectional study. SETTING: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, 4646 healthy subjects who received a full health examination at the Health Management Medical Center, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, from 1 January 2022 to 30 December 2023 were initially identified. According to the exclusion criteria, 2107 participants were included in the final analysis. PARTICIPANTS: The inclusion criteria for this study included (a) age is ≥18 years old and (b) subjects were long-term residents of Hunan province. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The 10-year ASCVD risk was evaluated via the China-PAR equation. The link between GA and 10-year ASCVD risk was examined through a multivariable logistic regression model, and the dose-response relationship was demonstrated using the restricted cubic spline. The potential mediation effect of BMI on this association was explored, and the differences in this mediation effect across age and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) subgroups were analysed. RESULTS: Elevated GA levels were positively linked to an intensified 10-year ASCVD risk (OR=1.160, 95% CI 1.055 to 1.276). Additionally, BMI was negatively linked to GA and 10-year ASCVD risk. BMI mediated 13.9% of the connection between GA and 10-year ASCVD risk. Specifically, the mediating effect of BMI remained significant in the 40-60-year age subgroup and non-MAFLD subgroup, with mediation ratios of 43.7% and 8.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: GA is a key predictor of 10-year ASCVD risk, and BMI partially mediates this relationship in healthy populations. Therefore, targeted weight management is recommended to reduce the adverse effect of GA on 10-year ASCVD risk in different populations.